Unusual Causes of Low Back Pain By Pamela Guevarra, PT, DPT AZOPT Physical Therapist There is no one, specific cause of low back pain. Several reasons, including a herniated disc pushing on a nerve, the normal aging process (osteoarthritis), and faulty posture, can contribute to pain in the low back. These are only a few…
Torticollis, literally translating to ‘wry neck,’ is a condition in which a child’s neck is typically flexed or bent in one direction and rotated in the other direction. This is due to a muscle in the neck, called the sternocleidomastoid, which has become shortened, strained, or weakened. This results in an abnormal posture of the…
Static Lower Body Stretches Description of stretches Half kneeling hip flexor stretch Begin by placing one knee on a soft surface or a pad with your opposite foot positioned forward on the floor Lunge your weight forward until a mild/moderate stretch is felt on the hip that is down on the mat Hold for 20…
Why Do Our Joints Pop, Click, Crack and Make Noise? By JD Fields, DPT, Cert DN AZOPT Glendale Clinic Manager and Physical Therapist Have you ever noticed your joint popping, clicking, cracking, or making some other type of noise? I commonly hear this symptom described in my physical therapy evaluations. Naturally, it is very concerning…
Sitting Ourselves to Death by Trent Brooke PT, DPT AZOPT Goodyear Physical Therapist Throughout history, people found themselves standing, walking, and generally being on their feet more often than not. However, in 2017, sitting has become the position people find themselves in more often and for longer throughout the day. We sit when we drive,…
Oral Health Made Fun! By Amanda Mazerall, OTR/L Kids Place Pediatric Occupational Therapist Kids often have a hard time tolerating tasks that deal with their teeth. Brushing teeth, going to the dentist, and removing loose teeth are just some of the challenges parents face while children grow. Fortunately, there are fun, preparatory activities to help…
AZOPT’s Patient of the Month Mike had been training for months to prepare for a triathlon with his family. One day, after a vigorous ramp up to his training, he experienced significant pain in his right knee. Overuse injuries are common in athletes from the increased stress being placed on their body. Mike was in need…
Incorporating Proper Body Mechanics By Pamela Guevarra,PT, DPT AZOPT Physical Therapist Often times, patients will ask me if the combination of physical therapy and exercise will be enough to heal their neck or back problems. Don’t get me wrong, treatment by a physical therapist and a specialized home exercise program contribute heavily and play a…
Summer Activities for Children to Prevent Skills Lapse By Sarah Koppenhoefer-Little, OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist With summer fast approaching, it is natural for parents to be concerned their child will lose hard-gained skills from the school year. To prevent this, here are fun, creative ideas to slow or stop the loss, but still not…
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month By Brooke Smith, DPT AZOPT Goodyear Clinic Manager and Physical Therapist Do you or someone you know have pain in their joints? You may have symptoms of arthritis. Today, nearly 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is often misunderstood as minor aches and pain associated with getting old. …
